357 magnum target load with 358429's

[wolfe28]

I want to load up some target loads in 357 mag brass using 358429 projectiles. I have red dot, unique, lil gun and W231 on hand, but would not be adverse to getting another powder if necessary.

Suggestions?

[maglvr]

5.5gr. UNIQUE is a pretty nice load in 357 brass, it should run around 875-900 fps from a 4" barrel.

In 38spl. cases the same combo does 1,011fps with a 6.5" barrel. According to Brian Pearce that is a 38spl.+P and safe in any 38spl. that is +P (20,000psi.) rated.
FWIW, in my experience, the 358429 is far more accurate at higher velocities than it is at slower ones. YMMV
Good luck.
maglvr

[uscra112]

You don't say what velocity you want, and how long is your barrel.

Unique is never a mistake. In my 4 inch S&W, I often load 5.0 grains with a 358439, for about 950 fps. Might drop that 2 tenths of a grain for the heavier boolit. Lil'Gun takes too long to burn completely - not useful except in rifle-length barrels, IMHO. Red Dot is even faster than Bullseye, which is my go-to for really low velocity (750 fps) target loads. But 3.7 to 3.9 grains might do very well in a revolver.

[wolfe28]

Things I forgot:

These will be for a 4 5/8 blackhawk, and something around 1000 fps.

Thanks

[357shooter]

3.4 grains of W231 is an accurate load. Lighter than 1,000FPS, but a good accurate target load with this bullet.

[curiousgeorge]

My suggestion would be Unique or possibly 2400. To get that velocity from that length barrel with that heavy of a boolit will put you above the "light target" class of loads that normally would be loaded with Bullseye, WW231, or Red Dot. You might look at 6.5 to 7.0 grs of Unique or 12.0 to 12.5 grs 2400. I do not know what your velocity will be or if these loads will be accurate in your gun, but should put you into the velocity range.

[357Mag]

Wolf -

Howdy !

I know what you're asking, but DO want to send along the best accuracy load
I've found for .357Mag.

With any Lyman .357 SWC of 158-172gr, I recommend 14.5gr WW296 and a
SP Magnum primer. ( H110 is WW296 by another name ).

Yes.... I'm talkin' a true ( .357 ) "MAGNUM" load. But... in capable hands and in a good handgun, the above load shoots superbly ! I've used it in 4", 5"; and 6" barrelled handguns.


Second load I'm fond of is: same bullets, over 7gr I4756, and regular SP primer.
This load is a tad sooty, but shoots great and has managable recoil.

Neither load requires gas-checks, and both clean up readily.


Regards,
357Mag

[bobthenailer]

4.0 gr BE @780 fps, super accurate with 5 different cast bullets and 8 different guns ! been useing that load for 30 + years

[MtGun44]

Around 5 gr of Unique would be good. You need to fit the boolit to the throats for
best results.

Bill

[fourarmed]

I loaded some 358429 for my M-19 Smith with the cases crimped over the front driving band. I believe the load was 6.0 of Unique. It was phenomenally accurate. Then last month I read an article by John Taffin in Am. Handgunner about the same practice. He also claimed top accuracy. If you use speedloaders, it makes the SWCs load a lot smoother, too.

[Wally]

The 358429 is a excellent bullet but IMHO a waste of valuable lead. I now use a Lee 90316 .38 105-SWC w/ 4.7 grains of Red dot to get 1,125 FPS MV. Very accurate in my Ruger Blackhawk, a Model 27, & the Marlin 1894C. I wonderful plinking load as well.

[357shooter]

The 358429 is a excellent bullet but IMHO a waste of valuable lead. I now use a Lee 90316 .38 105-SWC w/ 4.7 grains of Red dot to get 1,125 FPS MV. Very accurate in my Ruger Blackhawk, a Model 27, & the Marlin 1894C. I wonderful plinking load as well.What size groups do you get at 25 yards? 100 yards? I haven't had good results with this bullet in the past. I could be me though, it may be time to try it again.

[Wally]

25 yards--- 1"+

100 yards--I didn't test group---I could hit a 3.5" plate five out of five shots with the Carbine using a rest

[357shooter]

25 yards--- 1"+

100 yards--I didn't test group---I could hit a 3.5" plate five out of five shots with the Carbine using a rest

Thanks, it's time to try it out again.

[Tazman1602]

Use your Unique Wolfy -- but from what work I've done with this bullet (358429) is really likes to get pushed FAST. The faster the better. I haven't done much work with anything much lighter than 158 grains in my .357's.

.............2400 is still my personal favorite for this caliber/bullet weight though.....

[2shot]

OK I'll be the odd ball here and recomend Herco. I've been using it for years with the 358429 in the 357 and with max loads listed in my old Lyman manual I get 1" groups all day long at 25 yards with my 2 S&W 28's and one S&W 66. Out of the one 6" barreled 28 I get just over 1200 fps, I didn't check in the 4" 28 or 66 but I'm sure it's just above what your looking for. I have also used the starting load with Bullseye, this 358429 bullet seems accurate with just about anything that will push it out the barrel.

2shot

[Wally]

Thanks, it's time to try it out again.

I size to .359" and have to seat in a .40 S & W die as the bullets edge is too large for my .357 Magnum Seater die...to crimp I use a Lee FCD die. IMHO it's best to size large to get more consistent powder ignition.

[357shooter]

Thanks for the tips Wally.

[wolfe28]

Thanks for all the help. I'm trying to stay away from 38 special loads, mainly because I have lots of mag brass and I don't want to have to scrub the cylinder that much. The 358429 will be my first mold, so I wanted some ideas for plinking/target loads. I'm also planning on pushing this projectile at magnum levels for hunting and maybe some silhouette work, but wanted ideas for the whole range of applications.

Thanks again.

W

[357shooter]

Thanks for all the help. I'm trying to stay away from 38 special loads, mainly because I have lots of mag brass and I don't want to have to scrub the cylinder that much. The 358429 will be my first mold, so I wanted some ideas for plinking/target loads. I'm also planning on pushing this projectile at magnum levels for hunting and maybe some silhouette work, but wanted ideas for the whole range of applications.

Thanks again.

WWith that additional info, let me add to my recommendation: 38 special loads in 357 brass are very accurate. The 2 most accurate bullet/loads in my gun are a Lee TL358-158-SWC, OAL of 1.600 over 3.5 grains of 700X (a 38 special load). This works well at IHMSA Silhouette events, even knocking down Rams at 100 yards. It is light if you are going to shoot at 200 yards.

The other, is a 358-429, which is lapped, it now drops a 178 grain bullet, with an OAL of 1.620, over 13.5 grains of H110.

These shoot groups sizes within .1 inch of each other.

[GaryN]

I have also tried the 14.5 grs. of H110 with a mag. primer. It shoots good. It's more accurate than I can hold.